Hike Through Effigy Mounds National Monument To See What Iowa's Natives Left Behind

There is evidence of Iowa’s Native American founders all over the state – from burial mounds, to archaeological ruins, to story upon story about the very beginnings of Iowa. One particularly fascinating place that pays tribute to the works of Native Americans is located in rural northeast Iowa, at Effigy Mounds National Monument.

Effigy Mounds National Monument is a preserved Native American burial site, located in a remote section of Allamakee and Clayton Counties.

There are miles of trails which will take you through the park's wildnerness.

Much of the trail winds arounds the scenic Yellow River. In the spring and fall, the wildflowers and foliage make this one of the prettiest places in Iowa.

There are many elevated boardwalks that take visitors to high points such as Fire Point, which might be the best place to watch a sunrise in Iowa.

From the top of Eagle Rock, you can look down into some of the park's vast, scenic landscape.

While the trails are beautiful on their own, this park was created to commemorate and preserve the history of Iowa's very first settlers.

There are over 200 earthen mounds, and more are being discovered over the years. People of the Woodland Culture are responsible for these impressive creations, and they were built mostly in the first millenium.

Many of the mounds are shaped like bears, birds and other animals - these are called effigies. Here is a bear mound, and when you visit, you can quickly tell the shape of each one.

When you visit Effigy Mounds National Monument, you'll be able to truly learn about and appreciate the culture of those who shared our state long before we ever walked the earth.

If you can’t get enough of Iowa’s archeology, check out 8 Unbelievable Ruins In Iowa That Will Transport You To The Past, and each one is open for public exploration.

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This Hike Takes You To A Place Iowa's First Residents Left Behind

Kim Magaraci

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